10 Terrible Mistakes That Almost Ruined Spider-Man For Everyone
6. The Gathering Of Five - The Final Chapter Storyline (1998)
When Norman Osborn was revealed to be alive decades after he seemingly died in the aftermath of Gwen Stacy's murder, readers expected his next masterplan to be epic.
Sadly, his grand return was offset by a truly weird scheme to destroy Spider-Man, as it was filled with unnecessary twists and enough red herrings to fill a river. During the Gathering of Five story, Osborn took part in an ancient ritual, hoping it would grant him magical abilities. After seemingly obtaining this power, he unmasks and kills Spider-Man.
Except he doesn't. It turns out the "murdering of Spider-Man" was just in his head.
Readers then learn that Peter and MJ's daughter, thought to have died in childbirth, was stolen by Osborn, implying the child was still alive.
Nope. That plot thread went nowhere.
Finally, it is unveiled that Aunt May, who readers saw die in Amazing Spider-Man #400, was alive. It turns out this "May" was an actress who Osborn convinced to impersonate Peter's aunt. Even though this woman needed plastic surgery and a DNA transfusion to resemble May, she was totally up for the gig.
Why did Norman Osborn do all this? Simple. To mess with Spider-Man's head... that guy really needs a new hobby.